Forest officials in Kolhapur district arrested Goutam Subhas Nikam, a resident of Turkewadi village in Chandgad, for stealing a trap camera from the Patne forest range. The recovery raid at his residence uncovered several wildlife-related items, including dried monkey meat, a hunting knife, sambar horns, a squirrel, feathers, and arrowheads.
Patne range forest officer Prashant Awale stated that an investigation identified Nikam as the thief. Upon interrogation, Nikam confessed to the crime. The forest team retrieved the stolen trap camera and discovered the illegal hunting materials at his home.
Due to the possession of animal remnants and hunting tools, authorities registered a case against Nikam under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. He was remanded in forest custody for two days following his court appearance.
The probe was led by Deputy Conservator of Forests G Guruprasad and Assistant Conservator of Forests Navnath Kamble.
